Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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WDFW To Use Helicopters To Capture Mule Deer In Two Central Washington Counties SPOKANE- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will conduct mule deer captures from helicopters starting in mid-January. These captures will take place in Chelan and Klickitat counties along the east slope of the Cascade Mountains. Contracted professional crews will capture approximately 20 adult female mule deer in each area using humane methods to make the captures as safe as possible for both deer... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comments on proposed recommendations for 2022-2023 hunting seasons. From Feb. 2 through March 19, WDFW will accept written public comments on proposed rule changes to hunting regulations for the upcoming hunting season. The proposals and comment forms will be posted on the Department's website. Most of the proposals address minor changes in big game special permit levels and hunting area descriptions since the W... Full story
Columbia River scheduled to open for spring Chinook on select days beginning May 5 OLYMPIA – The Columbia River spring Chinook fishery is scheduled to open for four days through mid-May, state fishery managers announced today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) jointly manage the river through the Columbia River Compact process, which met Friday and laid out proposed fisheries for spring Chinook and sockeye. Anglers will be a... Full story
OLYMPIA – Anglers on the Snake River will be able to fish for spring Chinook salmon when fishing begins to reopen in Washington on May 5, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced. Two sections of the river – the area surrounding Little Goose Dam and the area around Clarkston -- will be open on alternating days, giving area anglers four possible days each week for spring Chinook fishing. "This is always a popular fishery, so we're excited that we can offer an opp... Full story
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today it will reopen some recreational fishing and hunting in a phased approach following the state's efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus. The department is asking hunters and anglers to enjoy these outdoor activities only if they can do so locally, while also practicing physical distancing. Many WDFW wildlife areas and boat ramps will reopen May 5 for day-use only recreation, as will some recreational fishing per... Full story
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) announced today they will reopen state-managed lands on Tuesday, May 5, for local day-use only recreation. The reopening will apply to state-managed parks, wildlife areas, recreation land, and boat launches. However, it may take several days for gates to be unlocked and sites to be serviced at remote areas due to limited staff capacity. Some parks may not open... Full story
OLYMPIA – Fishery managers say the coming year may be another tough one for anglers in Washington, with low salmon returns expected again in 2020. The 2020 forecasts for Chinook, coho, sockeye, and chum salmon – developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty Indian tribes – were released today during a public meeting in Olympia. The forecast meeting marks the starting point for developing this year’s salmon-fishing seasons in Puget Sound, the Columbia River,... Full story
SPOKANE- Starting in early January, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will conduct mule deer captures from helicopters in three study areas along the east slope of the Cascades in Okanogan, Chelan, and Kittitas counties. The Department will use contracted professional crews to capture approximately 50 adult female mule deer in each area. Humane methods and experienced crews are used to make the captures as safe as possible for both deer and humans. The deer will be fitted wit... Full story
WDFW Approves Seven-Day Razor Clam Dig On Ocean Beaches, Including Thanksgiving Holiday Digs OLYMPIA - Razor clam diggers can return to ocean beaches for a seven-day opening beginning November 24. State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig on evening low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. The upcoming dig is for the following dates and low tides: •November 24, Sunday, 4:47 pm, -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin H... Full story
Action: •Anglers limited to 1 adult coho on lower Cowlitz and lower Kalama Rivers. •Release all adult coho on the Lewis River, Cedar Creek (including all tributaries), and Washougal River. Effective date: Nov. 23, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019. Species affected: Coho salmon. Locations and salmon rules: •Cowlitz River, from the mouth to the posted markers 400 feet below the Barrier Dam: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6. Up to 1 adult may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho. •Kalama... Full story
Action: Closes part of Whatcom Creek to all fishing. Effective date: Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, 2019. Species affected: All species. Location: From the mouth to the markers below the footbridge downstream of Dupont St. Reason for action: The return of chum to Whatcom Creek is currently below the number needed to meet egg-take goals for 2019. Closing the fishing season in Whatcom Creek is necessary to ensure broodstock are available for future hatchery returns. Additional information: The season... Full story
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind has named Brendan Brokes Regional Director of the North Puget Sound Region based in Mill Creek. He began his new job Nov. 11, overseeing all WDFW work in King, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties. "I'm excited to have Brendan in this role," said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. "Brendan brings deep understanding of the region and existing knowledge about our programs, which will be an asset a... Full story
WDFW will use drones to count spawning salmon nests. SPOKANE- Starting in September and going through November of 2019, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will partner with Washington State University (WSU) on a research project to use drone technology to advance conservation efforts for summer Chinook salmon. An unmanned aerial vehicle- also known as a drone- will be used to identify and inventory salmon spawning nests, called redds, in three areas of the Upper Wenatchee... Full story
Women’s workshop offers instruction on fishing, hunting, and outdoor skills OLYMPIA - Women can learn the basics of fishing, hunting, outdoor stewardship, and other outdoor skills in a September weekend workshop that includes sessions led by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) experts and other certified instructors. Washington Outdoor Women (WOW) present and coordinate the annual workshop at Lazy F Camp near Ellensburg on Sept.13-15. Now in its 22 year, WOW is an outdoor skills e... Full story
WDFW's lowland lake trout derby continues in May and runs through Oct. 31. Anglers with a 2019-20 freshwater, combination fishing license, or Fish Washington license, who catch one of hundreds of tagged fish can claim prizes provided by license dealers located across the state. A list of lakes with prize fish and details on how to claim prizes is available at the derby website. With the warmer temperatures heading our way, May is a great time to head outside for outdoor adventures. Popular... Full story
Action: Opens hatchery chinook, trout and hatchery steelhead. Effective date: June 1 through June 30, 2019. Species affected: Hatchery chinook, trout, steelhead. Location: The Hoh River from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the boat launch at the DNR’s Oxbow Campground. Reason for action: The Hoh River wild spring/summer chinook are projected to return in numbers sufficient to allow incidental release impacts on this stock while allowing a sport fishery to target trout and d... Full story
Action: Anglers may not retain sockeye salmon as part of their daily limit in the Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers. Effective date: May 6, 2019 until further notice. Species affected: Sockeye salmon. Location: Quillayute and Sol Duc rivers. Reason for action: Sockeye salmon returns to Lake Pleasant, and to other coastal waters were very low in 2018 and are expected to be low in 2019. This action will increase the number of sockeye returning to spawn in Lake Pleasant. Additional information: Lake... Full story
WDFW tentatively plans three days of digging for razor clams starting May 18 at Mocrocks OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers have tentatively scheduled a “bonus” razor clam dig on ocean beaches for three days, May 18-20. Final approval of the scheduled opening will depend on whether results of marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) typically announces whether a dig will go forward about a week before the opening, said Dan Ayres, co... Full story
Hatchery steelhead retention reopens on the lower Kalama River, use of barbless hooks is voluntary Action: Retention of hatchery steelhead is open under permanent rule on the lower Kalama River. The use of barbless hooks remains voluntary on the Kalama River, including when fishing under selective gear rules and in fly-fishing-only waters. All other stipulations of selective gear rules and fly fishing only rules remain in effect. Effective date: May 3, 2019. Species affected: Steelhead, all spec... Full story
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) wants to hear from residents on how to manage pronghorns on portions of central Washington. The agency will host two public listening sessions to gather stakeholder feedback on pronghorn antelope management. "Pronghorn are some of the rarest and least-known large mammals in Washington. Historically, they've been a natural part of our ecosystems across the flat grassland areas of eastern Washington, though loss of habitat and changes in... Full story
WDFW to host meeting on review of hatchery and fishery reform OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will host a meeting Thursday, April 11 to provide stakeholders with an overview of the Hatchery and Fishery Reform Policy review and seek public input. The meeting is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., April 11, in Room 194 of the Lacey Campus Building 1 at South Puget Sound College, 4220 6th Ave. SE, Lacey. The state's hatchery and fishery reform policy is intended t... Full story
Extension of Recreational and Commercial Fishing Closure Announced for Elwha River and Its Tributaries OLYMPIA – The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Olympic National Park, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have agreed that it is necessary to extend the fishing closure in the Elwha River for another two years, from June 1, 2019 to July 1, 2021. The fishing closure applies to all recreational and commercial fishing in the Elwha River and its tributaries. A fishing moratorium in t... Full story
WDFW seeks input on fishing regulations for Humptulips River OLYMPIA – State fish managers are hosting a public meeting Tuesday, April 23, to discuss fishing regulations on the Humptulips River in southwest Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled the meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. April 23 at the Montesano City Hall. The public can also email comments to GraysHarbor@dfw.wa.gov. Department staff will discuss reinstating the use of selective gear rules for all g... Full story
Langlois Lake in King County to open for 1-day fishing event. Langlois Lake will be open to fishing from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset on April 20, 2019 for anglers participating in the Project Healing Waters (PHW) fishing event for all game fish. This is a one-day PHW event hosted by the Bellevue/Issaquah chapter of Trout Unlimited and the North Bend chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Project Healing Waters is dedicated to the physical and... Full story
Third weekend opening planned for Columbia River spring chinook fishery below Bonneville Dam OLYMPIA – For the third weekend in a row, a section of the lower Columbia River will reopen for two days of recreational spring chinook salmon fishing beginning Saturday, state fishery managers announced today. The initial spring chinook fishing period from Bonneville Dam downriver to Warrior Rock closed at midnight Wednesday, April 10, then reopened for the weekends beginning April 13 and 20, based o... Full story
